A compound represented by formula I, Ar.sub.1 --O--M--O--Ar.sub.2, wherein Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.2 are independently substituted phenyl or substituted pyridinyl, the substituents on said phenyl or pyridinyl being independently selected from one, two or three of (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10) alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10) alkoxy, halogen, carbamyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10) alkoxycarbonyl, oxazoyl, and (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10) alkyl substituted by halogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10) alkoxy, hydroxy, or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10) alkoxycarbonyl; ##STR1## O is oxygen; R' is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl or H; A is oxygen or sulfur; Q is selected from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkyl, (C.sub.1 C.sub.6) perhaloalkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkylthio (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) or alkyl sulfonyl; the dotted lines in M-3 and M-4 between carbons, 2 and 3 and 3 and 4, and 4 and 5 mean that the bonds between carbons 2 and 3, and 3 and 4, and 5 and 6, may each be a single or double bond; n=1 or 2; m=1 or 2; p=0 or 1; or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods of treating or preventing viral infections, especially picornaviral infections using the compounds of formula I, are disclosed.